BROUGHT BY SEA. 167 



ful resistance to the vexatious exactions and ob- 

 noxious and embarrassing policy of the officers of 

 the Canton government, has the merit of having 

 introduced this great improvement into the con- 

 duct of this part of the tea trade : to which I here 

 advert, because it led to consequences and bene- 

 fits at that time little contemplated or understood ; 

 viz. the discovery of the port of Foo-chew-foo, the 

 nearest port to the black tea districts, and the most 

 eligible for the shipment of the black teas. 



The first experiment, so far as my memory serves, 

 was tried in season 1811 or 1812 ; but the large 

 chests, though greatly reduced in size, were still 

 found too cumbersome and inconvenient on account 

 of frequent transhipment by water, and portage 

 across the mountains, during the inland transport 

 of this tea to Canton. It happened, however, that 

 the coast at this period was no longer infested with 

 pirates, so that in subsequent years it was found 

 practicable to bring this improved description of 

 Bohea to Canton by sea. It was designated " up- 

 country Bohea," and was collected and made in the 

 neighbourhood of Fong Lock, north of Kien-ning- 

 foo. In three or four days it was transported down 

 the River Min direct from the Bohea district to the 

 city of Foo-chew-foo, the capital of the province. 

 Hence it was transhipped on Junks, carrying from 

 three to five thousand chests ; and in about 

 thirteen days it arrived at Canton. 



The usual route, through the province of Kiang- 



M 4 



